Systems and Methods for Proportional Pressure and Vacuum Control in Surgical System

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic cross-connect proportional valve provides the capability to calibrate pressure and vacuum sensors in a surgical cassette associated with a surgical console. Calibration of non-invasive pressure and vacuum sensors in a cassette by utilizing a proportional cross-connect to pressurize the lines with set pressure or vacuum the lines with set vacuum and measure the response of respective sensors in the cassette. The use of proportional pressure may be used along with other clearing methods to clear material clogging the aspiration channel pathways and tubing of the surgical system. Utilize the cross-connect functionality to more rapidly pressurize the aspiration line upon detection or prediction of a post occlusion surge, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the surgical field, the eye chamber, and aspiration line which may prevent, for example, a surge of fluid out of the anterior chamber of the eye.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/393,856, filed Apr. 24, 2019, all of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to phacoemulsification surgical systems,and, more particularly, a phacoemulsification surgical system comprisinga pneumatic cross-connect proportional valve between pressure and vacuumsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. And asthe U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected tohave cataracts by the year 2020. Cataract surgery entails the removal ofa lens of an eye that has developed clouding of the eye's natural lens,or opacification. As a result of opacification, light is unable totravel to the retina, thereby causing vision loss. Once vision becomesseriously impaired, cataract surgery is a viable option with a highlevel of success. During cataract surgery, a surgeon replaces theclouded lens with an intraocular lens (IOL).

Certain surgical procedures, such as phacoemulsification surgery, havebeen successfully employed in the treatment of certain ocular problems,such as cataracts. Phacoemulsification surgery utilizes a small cornealincision to insert the tip of at least one phacoemulsification handheldsurgical implement, or handpiece, through the corneal incision. Thehandpiece includes a needle which is ultrasonically driven once placedwithin the incision to emulsify the eye lens, or to break the cataractinto small pieces. The broken cataract pieces or emulsified eye lens maysubsequently be removed using the same handpiece, or another handpiece,in a controlled manner. The surgeon may then insert a lens implant intothe eye through the incision. The incision is allowed to heal, and theresult for the patient is typically significantly improved eyesight.

Currently during cataract surgery, a majority of phacoemulsificationplatforms provide three primary states for fluidics and phaco control:irrigation, aspiration and ultrasound with respective operative footpedal activation zones. The foot pedal treadle position 1, whichcorrelates to irrigation only mode of the fluidics control and in whichirrigation valve, is opened to allow either gravity or pressurizedirrigation flow to reach the chamber via a sleeve at distal end. Footpedal treadle position 2, which correlates to irrigation/aspiration modeof the fluidics control, in which both irrigation and aspiration valvesare opened to allow both fluid and Cataract particles to be aspiratedout of the chamber while chamber pressure is maintained using theirrigation flow. Foot pedal treadle position 3, which correlates toirrigation/aspiration/ultrasound mode of fluidics and phaco control, inwhich ultrasound energy is applied to emulsify the cataract particlewhilst emulsified particles are being aspirated out of the chamber to awaste bag in the cassette.

In flow mode aspiration, the fluidics control provides a capability togradually increase or decrease aspiration flow by traversing the footpedal treadle in zone 2. In vacuum mode aspiration, the fluidics controlprovides a capability to gradually increase or decrease aspirationvacuum by traversing the foot pedal in zone 2. In both aspiration modes,the fluidics control can relieve vacuum in the aspiration line when thefoot pedal is traversed from zone 2 to zone 1; in other words, when thefluidics controls is switched from irrigation/aspiration to irrigationonly. When the foot pedal treadle is traversed from zone 1 (irrigationonly) to zone 0 (idle), the fluidics control pressurizes the aspirationline to a set point. By relieving vacuum and applying pressure in theaspiration line, the fluidics control pushes fluid out of the aspirationline into the chamber thus clearing any obstructing particles or eyetissue occluding the tip of the surgical instrument. Currentphacoemulsification systems generate pressure in the aspiration line byusing a peristaltic pump or column height of the fluid to allowirrigation head height to pressurize the aspiration line.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, the use of a cross-connectvalve may provide the capability to calibrate pressure and vacuumsensors in a surgical cassette associated with a surgical console, forexample. The present invention may support calibration of non-invasivepressure and vacuum sensor in the cassette by utilizing the proportionalcross-connect to pressurize the lines with set pressure or vacuum thelines with set vacuum and measure the response of respective sensors inthe cassette. This may require, for example, that irrigation andaspiration lines are at least partially connected, for example.

The present invention may also provide for the clearing of obstructionsin the aspiration channel fluid pathways by applying proportionalpressure. The use of proportional pressure may be used along with otherclearing methods to clear material clogging the aspiration channelpathways and tubing of the surgical system.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the system may also mitigatepost occlusion surge by applying just in time proportional pressure. Thepresent invention may utilize the cross-connect functionality to morerapidly pressurize the aspiration line upon detection or prediction of apost occlusion surge, thereby reducing the pressure difference betweenthe surgical field, the eye chamber for example, and aspiration linewhich may prevent, for example, a surge of fluid out of the anteriorchamber of the eye.

The present invention may provide a phacoemulsification surgical system,comprising at least one pressure system comprising at least oneirrigation line communicatively coupled to a first valve, at least onevacuum system comprising at least one aspiration line coupled to asecond valve, at least one cassette removably attached to a surgicalconsole and in communicatively coupled to the at least one irrigationline and the at least one aspiration line, and at least onecross-connection between the at least one pressure system and the atleast one vacuum system, the at least one cross-connection configured tobuild proportional pressure between the at least one irrigation line andthe at least one aspiration line.

The present invention may provide a surgical system including a surgicalcassette, the surgical system comprising an aspiration line, anirrigation line, a pneumatic cross-connect proportional valvecommunicatively coupled between the aspiration line and irrigation line,the pneumatic cross-connect valve configured to vent and reflux theaspiration line, calibrate pressure and vacuum sensors of the surgicalcassette, build proportional pressure or vacuum of the aspiration lineand the irrigation line, and applying proportional pressure to clearobstructions of the aspiration line. The surgical system may furthercomprise at least one surgical console configured to house the pneumaticcross-connect proportional valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the accompanying figure(s). The figure(s) may, alone or incombination, illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure.Elements illustrated in the figure(s) are not necessarily drawn toscale. Reference labels may be repeated among the figures to indicatecorresponding or analogous elements.

The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an eye treatment system in which acassette couples an eye treatment probe with an eye treatment console;

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide an exemplary diagram that illustrates apneumatics connection of pressure and vacuum system with a key featureof cross-connection between two systems; and

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrates a design of a fluidicsmanifold assembly with cross-connect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in typicalsurgical, and particularly optical surgical, apparatuses, systems, andmethods. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that otherelements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing thepresent invention. However, because such elements and steps are wellknown in the art, and because they do not facilitate a betterunderstanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elementsand steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed toall such variations and modifications to the disclosed elements andmethods known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a system 10 for treating an eye E of a patient Pgenerally includes an eye treatment probe handpiece 12 coupled to aconsole 14 by a cassette 100 mounted on the console via interface 200.Handpiece 12 may include a handle for manually manipulating andsupporting an insertable probe tip. The probe tip has a distal end whichis insertable into the eye, with one or more lumens in the probe tipallowing irrigation fluid to flow from the console 14 and/or cassette100 into the eye. Aspiration fluid may also be withdrawn through a lumenof the probe tip, with the console 14 and cassette 100 generallyincluding a vacuum aspiration source, a positive displacement aspirationpump, or both to help withdraw and control a flow of surgical fluidsinto and out of eye E. As the surgical fluids may include biologicalmaterials that should not be transferred between patients, cassette 100will often be disposable or comprise a disposable (or alternatively,re-sterilizable) structure, with the surgical fluids being transmittedthrough conduits of the cassette that avoid direct contact in betweenthose fluids and the components of console 14.

When a distal end of the probe tip of handpiece 12 is inserted into aneye E, for example, for removal of a lens of a patient with cataracts,an electrical conductor and/or pneumatic line (not shown) may supplyenergy from console 14 to an ultrasound transmitter of the handpiece, acutter mechanism, or the like. Alternatively, the handpiece 12 may beconfigured as an irrigation/aspiration (I/A) or vitrectomy handpiece.Also, the ultrasonic transmitter may be replaced by other means foremulsifying a lens, such as a high energy laser beam. The ultrasoundenergy from handpiece 12 helps to fragment the tissue of the lens, whichcan then be drawn into a port of the tip by aspiration flow. So as tobalance the volume of material removed by the aspiration flow, anirrigation flow through handpiece 12 (or a separate probe structure) mayalso be provided, with both the aspiration and irrigations flows beingcontrolled by console 14.

So as to avoid cross-contamination between patients and/or to avoidincurring excessive expenditures for each procedure, cassette 100 andits conduit 18 may be disposable. Alternatively, the conduit or tubingmay be disposable, with the cassette body and/or other structures of thecassette being sterilizable. Regardless, the disposable components ofthe cassette are typically configured for use with a single patient andmay not be suitable for sterilization. The cassette will interface withreusable (and often quite expensive) components of console 14, which mayinclude one or more peristaltic pump rollers, a Venturi or other vacuumsource, a controller 40, and the like.

Controller 40 may include an embedded microcontroller and/or many of thecomponents common to a personal computer, such as a processor, data bus,a memory, input and/or output devices (including a touch screen userinterface 42), and the like. Controller 40 will often include bothhardware and software, with the software typically comprising machinereadable code or programming instructions for implementing one, some, orall of the methods described herein. The code may be embodied by atangible media such as a memory, a magnetic recording media, an opticalrecording media, or the like. Controller 40 may have (or be coupled to)a recording media reader, or the code may be transmitted to controller40 by a network connection such as an internet, an intranet, anEthernet, a wireless network, or the like. Along with programming code,controller 40 may include stored data for implementing the methodsdescribed herein and may generate and/or store data that recordsparameters corresponding to the treatment of one or more patients. Manycomponents of console 14 may be found in or modified from knowncommercial phacoemulsification systems.

In a first embodiment, the use of a cross-connect valve, which may be apneumatic cross-connect proportional valve, for example, may allow forthe connecting of an irrigation channel to aspiration and vice versa toprovide either pressurization or vacuum to the channel(s) as desired.The invention may provide the capability to build proportional pressurein an aspiration line to support fluidics features such as venting andreflux, for example. The present invention may provide an alternativemethod to vent and reflux an aspiration line. By way of non-limitingexample, in vacuum mode, a proportional vacuum regulator may relievevacuum in the aspiration line followed by allowing a proportionalcross-connect valve to build desired pressure in the aspiration linethus pushing fluid out from the aspiration line at the distal end. Inthe flow mode, an aspiration line may be opened to a vacuum mode tank onthe pneumatic side; the vacuum mode tank being at or near atmospherepressure, thereby at least partially relieving any vacuum in theaspiration line. Similarly, a pneumatic proportional cross-connect valvemay be engaged to build desired pressure in the aspiration line. Refluxmay be achieved in an equivalent manner by allowing the proportionalcross-connect pathway to further pressurize the aspiration line.

The use of an air-pneumatic system may provide a capability to build andrelieve vacuum in an aspiration line as needed in vacuum modeaspiration. In one non-limiting example, a proportional vent valve mayproportionally relieve vacuum in a vacuum tank and in turn theaspiration line as a function of a foot pedal treadle position. The footpedal treadle position may for example, include at least a firstposition and second position. A similar functionality may apply whenbuilding vacuum in a vacuum tank as a function of foot pedal treadletravel from position 1 to position 2 in a linear mode.

To achieve venting, a fluidics subsystem may be utilized. The fluidicssubsystem relieves vacuum in an aspiration line and gradually buildspositive pressure based on a user-defined set point of venting strength.The proportional cross-connect valve provides capability toproportionally build pressure in the aspiration line up to setirrigation pressure to vent the aspiration channel. In one non-limitingexample, in vacuum mode aspiration, when venting is activated, thefluidics subsystem may gradually relieve vacuum in the aspiration tankusing a proportional vent valve and in turn vacuum is reduced at thedistal end of the aspiration channel. Once the vacuum is relieved fromthe aspiration line, a cross-connect valve may be used to graduallypressurize the aspiration tank and in turn the distal end of theaspiration channel based on a desired venting strength.

In reflux, the fluidics subsystem, in one non-limiting example, refluxescontents of the aspiration line into an anterior chamber. Theaforementioned proportional cross-connect valve may be utilized togradually build positive pressure in the aspiration line up to theirrigation pressure. Contents of the aspiration line may then reflux tothe anterior chamber as positive pressure is applied to the vacuum tankin the cassette. In this mode, the proportional cross-connect valve maypressurize the aspiration line up to a set irrigation pressure.

In a second embodiment, the use of a cross-connect valve, which may be apneumatic cross-connect proportional valve, for example, may provide acapability to calibrate pressure/vacuum sensor in a surgical cassette.An eddy current probe may be mounted in the console and a communicationcompatible interface disc may be located in the cassette. The eddycurrent pressure/vacuum sensor may be calibrated for zero offset andgain parameters by applying a known pressure and vacuum measurementpoints using the air-pneumatic system. In one non-limiting example, whena cassette is captured in a system console, the system may begin asensor calibration process through the interface disc. The irrigationand aspiration luers may also be connected.

The air-pneumatic system may create a series of known pressure setpoints using proportional main and vent valves. Such associated pressuremay be applied to the pressurized irrigation tank in the cassette whilethe valve (e.g. rotary valve) is engaged to pressurize the irrigationtank so that it may be measured using the irrigation pressure sensor. Aproportional cross-connect valve may be engaged such that regulatedirrigation pressure from the air-pneumatic system is applied to theaspiration channel and the vacuum tank and measured using the aspirationpressure sensor in the cassette. Similarly, the aspiration valve (e.g.rotary valve) may be engaged to the vacuum tank. As a result, bothpressure transducers in the cassette may measure a series of pressureset points being applied by the air-pneumatic system.

For vacuum, the air-pneumatic system may create a series of known vacuumset points using proportional main and vent valves. Such a vacuum may beapplied to the vacuum tank in the cassette while the valve (e.g. rotaryvalve) may be engaged to the vacuum tank. This allows the known vacuumto be measured using the aspiration pressure sensor in the cassette. Aproportional cross-connect valve may be engaged such that regulatedvacuum from the air-pneumatic system is applied to the irrigationchannel and irrigation tank and measured using the irrigation pressuresensor in the cassette while irrigation the valve (e.g. rotary valve) isengaged to the irrigation tank.

This method may allow the system to simultaneously calibrate irrigationand aspiration pressure sensors in the cassette for a series of knownpressure and vacuum set points. This series of known pressure set pointsinclude measurement points between maximum and minimum allowed pressurein the system. Similar set points may be applied for the vacuum.

In a third embodiment, the use of a cross-connect valve, which may be apneumatic cross-connect proportional valve, for example, may allow forthe capability to build proportional pressure or vacuum in both theirrigation and aspiration lines to support the priming of the fluidics.Cassette calibration may be performed prior to priming. The primaryobjective of fluidics prime, in at least one instance, is to evacuateair pockets from irrigation and aspiration fluid pathways includingrespective tanks and bladders in the cassette.

In a first implementation example, a gravity irrigation and peristalticaspiration fluid path is described. In this example, the air-pneumaticvalves for irrigation and aspiration may be in a default off position.The irrigation and aspiration luers may be connected together. An IVpole may be raised to a predetermined position and the irrigation valvein the cassette may be opened to gravity. Fluid from the irrigationsource may start flowing through the irrigation inlet, valve (e.g.rotary), irrigation pressure sensor and to an irrigation distal end.This may allow the system to confirm head height pressure as measured bythe irrigation pressure sensor. On the aspiration circuit, theperistaltic pump may be rotated at predetermined rotations per minutethereby generating a certain flow rate which causes the fluid to travelthrough the aspiration tubing, aspiration pressure sensor, aspirationbladders and to the waste bag.

In a second implementation example, a pressurized irrigation andperistaltic aspiration fluid path is described. In this example, aproportional main valve and a vent valve may be engaged to maintaincertain predetermined pressure(s) in the irrigation tank. The fluid maybe drawn from the irrigation source using a peristaltic pump which isrotating at a predetermined rotation per unit of time, generallyminutes. Fluid my then travel through the irrigation inlet, peristalticbladders, and to the irrigation tank in the cassette. Once the fluidreaches a certain level in the tank, the irrigation valve (e.g. rotaryvalve) may be engaged to the tank so that fluid then flows through thevalve and irrigation pressure sensor to the irrigation distal end. Onthe aspiration circuit, the peristaltic pump may be rotating atpredetermined rotations per minute generating a certain flow rate whichcauses the fluid to travel through the aspiration tubing, aspirationpressure sensor, aspiration bladders, and to the waste bag. Theair-pneumatic system may apply a series of pressure set points up to amaximum allowed.

In a third implementation example, a pressurized irrigation and vacuumaspiration fluid path is described. In this case, a proportional mainvalve and a vent valve may be engaged to maintain a certainpredetermined pressure in the irrigation tank. The fluid may be drawnfrom the irrigation source using a peristaltic pump which is rotating ata predetermined rotation per minute. Fluid may travel through theirrigation inlet, peristaltic bladders, and to the irrigation tank inthe cassette. Once the fluid reaches a certain level in the tank, theirrigation valve (e.g. rotary valve) may be engaged to the tank so thatfluid flows through the valve and irrigation pressure sensor and to theirrigation distal end.

A proportional main valve and a vent valve may be engaged to maintain acertain predetermined vacuum in the aspiration tank. The aspirationvalve (e.g. rotary valve) may be engaged to the tank so that fluidtravels through the aspiration tubing, aspiration pressure sensor, andto the tank. Once the fluid reaches a certain level in the tank, theperistaltic pump may be rotated to evacuate fluid from the tank to awaste bag. The air-pneumatic system may apply a series of vacuum setpoints up to a maximum allowed amount of set points. The proposedsolution is therefore enabled to support fluidics prime by utilizing theproportional cross-connect to build pressure or vacuum in bothirrigation and aspiration lines when the lines are connected.

In a fourth embodiment, the use of a cross-connect valve, which may be apneumatic cross-connect proportional valve, for example, may allow forthe capability to clear clogging of an aspiration channel fluid pathwaysby applying proportional pressure.

In a fifth embodiment, the use of a cross-connect valve, which may be apneumatic cross-connect proportional valve, for example, may allow forthe capability to mitigate post occlusion surge by applying just in timeproportional pressure. In one non-limiting example, in vacuum modeaspiration while the tip is occluded, the proportional vent valve can beused to gradually reduce vacuum in the aspiration line up topredetermined set point. Upon occlusion break, the vent valve relievesthe remaining vacuum in the aspiration line followed by thecross-connect valve instantly applying an effective amount of positivepressure in the vacuum tank and in turn the aspiration line to mitigatethe surge. Post occlusion surge occurs when a hand piece tip is blockedby a fragment or particulate of the cataractic lens. A blocked tip maycause a vacuum to build in the aspiration tubing. When the occlusionbreaks, the stored energy in the tubing pulls fluid from the anteriorchamber. The amount of volume that the aspiration tubing pulls dependson how much it had collapsed during the occlusion. By allowing thecross-connect valve to just-in-time apply a small effective amount ofpositive pressure in the aspiration line, the fluid movement fromanterior chamber to aspiration tubing during the surge break may bereduced.

The diagram shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates pneumatics connectionof a pressure and vacuum system having a cross-connection between thetwo systems. FIG. 2A includes an irrigation system 202 and a vacuumsystem 206 which are in communication with each other through at leastone cross connect valve 214. The at least one cross connect valve 214may be a proportional valve which may, for example, connect theirrigation system 202 to the vacuum system 206.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, irrigation system 202 may include at leastone irrigation line 210 communicatively coupled to at least one valvefor the regulation of flow through the irrigation line 210. At least oneof the valves may include vent valve 218 which may further be aproportional valve. Similarly, at least one of the valves may include aregulator valve 216, which may also be a proportional valve. Irrigationsystem 202 may also include air regulator 211 and at least one safetycheck valve 213. In addition, a sensor, such as sensor 215, may be incommunication with irrigation line 210 to monitor pressure and/or fluidflow in line 210. The irrigation system 202 is preferably pressurizedand may provide up to 120 mmHg of pressure for vent and refluxoperations.

Aspiration system 206 may include at least one aspiration line 212communicatively coupled to at least one valve for the regulation of flowthrough the aspiration line 212. At least one of the valves may includevent valve 221 which may further be a proportional valve. Similarly, atleast one of the valves may include a regulator valve 220, which mayalso be a proportional and/or vent valve. An additional regulator valve222 may be used and may in situated in-line with aspiration line 212.Aspiration system 206 may also a sensor, such as sensor 223, may be incommunication with aspiration line 212 to monitor pressure and/or fluidflow in line 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, a cassette 290 may be removably attached to aportion of surgical console 280 and may be in communication withaspiration line 212 and irrigation line 210. Cassette 290 may be incommunication with pump 246 and associated drain bag 260, wherein thepump 246 may be a peristaltic pump, for example. Similarly, cassette 290may be in communication with pump 262 and associated irrigation source204, wherein the pump 262 may be a peristaltic pump, for example.Aspiration line 212 may be in communication with fluid level sensor 248and at least one valve 266 proximate to cassette 290. The irrigationline 210 may be in communication with fluid level sensor 249 and atleast on valve 251 proximate to cassette 290. Each fluid level sensormay be at least in part optical and may be of any suitable technologycommon to those skilled in the art.

Certain aspects of cassette 290 may at least partially control variousaspects of the surgical console 280. For example, motor control 244 maycontrol pump 246, motor control 242 may control valve 266, and sensorcontrol 240 may control and/or read sensor 241. Similarly, motor control250 may control pump 262, motor control 252 may control valve 251, andsensor control 254 may control and/or read sensor 255.

Aspiration line 212 and irrigation line 210 may be communicativelycoupled through at least one proportional valve 214. Fluid communicationbetween each of the lines and proportional valve 214 may occur at anyposition along each line and may, for example, occur prior to the distalend of each line. In an embodiment of the present invention, the atleast one proportional valve 214 is located in the surgical consoleprior to either the aspiration line 212 or the irrigation line 210enters cassette 210. In an embodiment of the present invention, the atleast one proportional valve 214 is located outside the surgical consoleprior to either the aspiration line 212 or the irrigation line 210terminating at the surgical site 208. The cross-connect provided by theat least one proportional valve 214 is normally closed, therebyisolating the pressure and vacuum pneumatic circuits.

The diagram shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the present design of a fluidicsmanifold assembly 300 with cross-connect as described herein. Thediagram shows an isometric view of the fluidics manifold assembly.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the herein describedapparatuses, engines, devices, systems and methods are susceptible tovarious modifications and alternative constructions. There is nointention to limit the scope of the invention to the specificconstructions described herein. Rather, the herein described systems andmethods are intended to cover all modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents falling within the scope and spirit ofthe disclosure, any appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

In the foregoing detailed description, it may be that various featuresare grouped together in individual embodiments for the purpose ofbrevity in the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that any subsequently claimedembodiments require more features than are expressly recited.

Further, the descriptions of the disclosure are provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments.Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other variations without departing from the spirit orscope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to belimited to the examples and designs described herein, but rather is tobe accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A surgical system including a surgical cassette,the surgical system comprising: an aspiration line; an irrigation line;a pneumatic cross-connect proportional valve communicatively coupledbetween the aspiration line and irrigation line, the pneumaticcross-connect valve configured to: vent and reflux the aspiration line;calibrate pressure and vacuum sensors of the surgical cassette; buildproportional pressure or vacuum of the aspiration line and theirrigation line; and applying proportional pressure to clearobstructions of the aspiration line.
 21. The surgical system of claim20, further comprising: at least one surgical console configured tohouse the pneumatic cross-connect proportional valve.